Resistance
Water Rowing Machines
Water-tank resistance. Smooth, on-the-water feel.
Top pick
WaterRower Rowing Machine with S4 BLE Monitor | USA Made Water Rower | Original Handcrafted Erg Row Machine for Home Use & Gym
90/100 Verdict$1,298.00
Compare resistances · 2026
Best Rowing Machines: Water vs Magnetic vs Air
Water rowers feel like real rowing with the soft sound of water; magnetic rowers are silent and best for apartments; air rowers (Concept2) are the standard for CrossFit and competitive training.
See the full top 5 →
Resistance
Magnetic Rowing Machines
Magnetic resistance. Quietest, best for apartments.
Top pick
Sunny Health & Fitness Magnetic Rowing Machine for Home Exercise, Quiet & Smooth Rower with Compact Storage and Optional Free SunnyFit App Connectivity
85/100 Verdict$322.96
Resistance
Air Rowing Machines
Fan-air resistance (Concept2). CrossFit / competitive standard.
Top pick
Concept2 RowErg Indoor Rowing Machine - PM5 Monitor, Device Holder, Adjustable Air Resistance, Easy Storage
95/100 Verdict$990.00
- #1WaterRower Rowing Machine with S4 BLE Monitor | USA Made Water Rower | Original Handcrafted Erg Row Machine…WaterRowerBest overallVerdict90/100Buyer4.5(181)Price$1,298.00
- #1Sunny Health & Fitness Magnetic Rowing Machine for Home Exercise, Quiet & Smooth Rower with Compact Storage…Sunny Health & FitnessBest overallVerdict85/100Buyer4.5(4,889)Price$322.96
- #1Concept2 RowErg Indoor Rowing Machine - PM5 Monitor, Device Holder, Adjustable Air Resistance, Easy StorageBest overallVerdict95/100Buyer4.9(13,017)Price$990.00
One pick per resistance. For the full top-5 inside any variant, use the cards above.
Sources behind this verdict
184 reviewers, weighted by source trust
Sources behind this verdict
184 reviewers, weighted by source trust
184reviewers read
Weighted by source trust
We don’t review products. We read what other reviewers wrote, score each source for trustworthiness, and synthesize the consensus.
How sources are scored →Trust hierarchy
Trusted
3
Verified0
Supporting
27
Flagged0
Source mix
- 6Press
- 1Retailer
- 106Community
- 71Video
Trusted · 3 sources
Independent · documented methodologySupporting · 27 named sources
RetailerCommunityVideo
Target customersr/waterrowerr/Ergattar/concept2r/fitness30plusr/AppleFitnessPlusr/GarageGymr/orangetheoryr/nordictrackr/NorthVancouverYouTube · review videoYouTube · The Most FUN Way To ...YouTube · Review & DemoYouTube · Beauty and Fitness! Wow!YouTube · Uses ...YouTube · Wenoker Magnetic Rower ...YouTube · Body WorkoutYouTube · WENOKER Wooden ...YouTube · Expert Trainer's GuideYouTube · Body Workout at HomeYouTube · Consider THIS before buying!YouTube · Review after 3 monthsYouTube · YOSUDA R2 Rowing Machine Review ...YouTube · Depth ReviewYouTube · ReviewYouTube · Level Adjustable ResiYouTube · Price + everything you need ...
Best overall
Concept2 RowErg Indoor Rowing Machine - PM5 Monitor, Device Holder, Adjustable Air Resistance, Easy Storage
★★★★★4.9(13,017)95Excellent
Across the reviewers we read, the Concept2 RowErg is the consensus benchmark for indoor rowing. High-trust community threads on r/Rowing and r/concept2 repeatedly describe it as 'pretty much indestructible,' easy to maintain and repair, and a machine that holds its value better than almost any other piece of home fitness equipment.
Price
$990.00